Veterinary Assistant, Internal Medicine

ethosveterinaryhealth; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k

PTO

Shift differential

Job summary

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for our Internal Medicine team in the South Puget Sound region. You will support rapid diagnosis and management of complex diseases, while delivering compassionate care to pets and owners.

The role requires strong communication, attention to detail, adaptability, and a genuine passion for patient care. Training for specific duties is provided; on-call shifts follow training completion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of veterinary experience.
• Knowledge of veterinary terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology.
• WA state medication clerk license preferred or needed within first 90 days.
• Veterinary Assistant certification preferred.
• ER/ICU or Specialty experience preferred, but we will train the right person.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team player; detail-oriented, reliable, dependable, trustworthy.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in diagnosing and treating complex medical cases (endocrine, GI, immune-mediated, renal, infectious diseases).
• Monitor patient vital signs and report abnormalities.
• Administer PO and injectable medications, fluids, treatments and procedures.
• Perform in-house lab testing and assist with sample collection.
• Assist with advanced diagnostics and procedures (ultrasound, endoscopy, imaging).
• Obtain and record detailed patient histories and maintain medical records.
• Prepare prescriptions and relay discharge instructions to clients.
• Support long-term case management and client follow-up care.

Skills

Veterinary terminology

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team player

Education

Veterinary Assistant certification

Job description

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is hiring a Veterinary Assistant for our Internal Medicine department!
Hourly pay range: $22.00 - $28.00 depending on experience

Job Summary:

We are currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our Internal Medicine team. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will support the diagnosis and management of complex, chronic, and systemic diseases while providing high-quality care to both pets and their owners. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail, adaptability, and a genuine passion for patient care.

Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinarians in the diagnosis and treatment of complex medical cases, including endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune-mediated, renal, and infectious diseases.

• Monitor patient vital signs and report abnormalities to veterinarians.

• Administer PO medications, injectable medications, fluids, treatments, and procedures as directed by veterinarians.

• Perform in-house laboratory testing and assist with sample collection (blood, urine, fecal, cytology).

• Assist with advanced diagnostics and procedures, including ultrasound, endoscopy, and imaging (radiographs, CT, fluoroscopy).

• Obtain and record detailed patient histories and maintain accurate medical records.

• Prepare prescriptions and communicate discharge instructions clearly to clients.

• Support long-term case management and client follow-up care.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology.

• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced specialty environment.

• Prior veterinary experience required (minimum 2 years).
• Veterinary Assistant certification preferred.
• Experience working in ER/ICU or Specialty preferred, but we will train the right person.
• Current WA state medication clerk license preferred or needed to be obtained within first 90 days.
• Team player; detail-oriented, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Availability:

• Full time - 4 10-hour shifts
• On call shifts required once fully trained

Benefits:

• Hourly pay range: $22.00 - $28.00 depending on experience
• Shift differential for any shift hours worked within 6p-6am: $3/hr Mon-Thurs and $5/hr Fri-Sun
• CE/Dues/License Fees/Uniform Allowances
• 401k
• PTO
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee assistance plan with focus on mental health
• Plus more employee perks

Why Summit Veterinary Referral Center

Summit is the largest Emergency and Specialty Center in the South Puget Sound. With specialists in Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Surgery, and Radiology, we work collaboratively to provide comprehensive patient and client care in our region. Grand rounds occur daily, and our specialists are regularly available to consult on cases.

We offer advanced diagnostics and equipment including CT/MRI, endoscopy, telemetry, digital radiography, echocardiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and more.

Our culture centers around collaboration and a commitment to exceptional medicine. We support your professional development with a robust CE budget and opportunities for growth, including VTS support. We prioritize sustainable excellence with structures in place to reduce burnout and help you maintain balance.

We have grown steadily in our 13-year history and continue to expand while maintaining a strong sense of community. We need talented individuals like you to help us continue delivering exceptional patient and client care.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health is a network of over 140 specialty and emergency hospitals across North America. With more than 1,500 specialized doctors providing care to nearly 2 million pets annually, Ethos integrates advanced technology with an evidence-based approach to deliver compassionate care and rewarding careers.

Ethos offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for eligible employees. Compensation and benefits details for your specific location will be shared during the hiring process.

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information, consistent with applicable regulations.